Frequently asked questions

Every tool gets an editorial score out of 10. Each type of tool (imaging AI, patient communication, practice management, AI receptionists and so on) has its own published criteria with fixed weights, and the score is the weighted result. Every approved tool page shows its criteria breakdown, so you can see where a tool earned or lost points. The full method is on our methodology page.

Yes. Each tool type has its own criteria and weights, because what matters for an imaging AI isn't what matters for a texting platform. For example, regulatory evidence (FDA clearance) is 30% of an imaging AI score, while patient communication tools are weighted most on communication breadth and PMS integration (25% each). Tools are ranked within their own category. See every weight on our methodology page.

Yes. For imaging AI, regulatory evidence is the biggest single criterion at 30% of the score. We look for FDA 510(k) clearances that match how US practices would actually use the product, and we check them in the FDA database. See the imaging criteria on our methodology page.

Yes. Nothing goes live automatically. Each tool moves through a review queue: draft (research started), in review (details, pricing and score being checked), then approved and published, or rejected if it isn't dental-relevant, isn't a real product or isn't available. Listings still being verified show a Preliminary review label. More on our methodology page.

It reflects how much verifiable information we could find about the tool. A lower confidence means less public information was available, so it's worth confirming details with the vendor before you decide. It's shown on every tool page, and our methodology page explains how we review.

Not on its own. A score is a starting point for your shortlist, not a final verdict. Each listing also has a one-line verdict that says what the tool is actually for, and the criteria breakdown shows its strengths and gaps. The tool matcher can help you build a shortlist for your practice.

We only show prices vendors publish, and we link the source. If a vendor doesn't publish pricing, the listing says “Contact vendor.” Price isn't part of the score.

No. Sponsors pay for visibility, never for a verdict. A sponsorship doesn't change a tool's score, verdict, rank or what our review says, and sponsors don't see reviews before they're published. Sponsored tools are scored exactly like everyone else, using our published methodology.

Every placement carries a visible “Sponsored” label and sits outside the ranked list, never inside it. Sponsored links are marked as sponsored for search engines, and sponsor blocks in the newsletter are labeled the same way.

Yes. When a listed company is connected to another listing (for example, VoiceStack is made by CareStack), or when we have a business relationship with a vendor, we say so on the page. Consulting clients of alphaSource Consulting don't get different scores. See our About page.

Yes. We update scores when products change or when we verify new information. Every change to a published score is listed on our score changelog with the old score, the new score, the date and the reason. Changes are recorded from October 17, 2026 onward.

Use our score review form with an email at your company's domain, so we can confirm you represent the vendor. A person reads every request. We check it against the criteria for that tool type and verify new claims with public sources or documentation you send. Marketing copy alone won't move a score, and a request doesn't guarantee a change. If a score changes, it's listed on our score changelog.

No. Vendors can suggest, not edit. Anyone, vendors included, can suggest a tool or a correction, and we research it ourselves before anything changes. Vendors can send corrections through our score review form.

Use our suggestion form, or reply to any newsletter issue. We research every suggestion ourselves, and a tool is listed only after it's reviewed and scored like everyone else.

Dental AI Tools is published by alphaSource Consulting LLC. Its founder, Jason Gardner, has more than 15 years in the dental industry in operational leadership roles at multi-site DSOs and private practices. The rankings are free, and consulting clients don't get different scores. More on our About page.